Strange twist in Spanish Fort Middle School cyberbullying case

A Spanish Fort Middle School student who claimed she was sent racially charged messages on Facebook may have actually sent the messages to herself, according to a report from Local 15.

Two of the student’s classmates were accused of sending vulgar messages featuring a noose and use of the "N" word to her Facebook account.

Investigators examined the phones and laptops that belonged to the two other female students named in the complaint, Spanish Fort Police Chief David Edgar said, and concluded that the messages did not come from the girls’ accounts.

According to Local 15’s report, the student who claimed she was being harassed may have sent the postings to herself by using replicates of other students' Facebook pages.

Edgar said the case remains open, but confirmed that the focus is on one suspect. “We’ve concluded the investigation, but the case remains open because it has to go to juvenile court,” he said. No charges have been filed.

Edgar has discussed several options with the Baldwin County District Attorney's office, he said. Possible charges include harassment, disorderly conduct and/or falsely reporting an incident, he said.

“It’s the first case I know that we’ve handled involving social media and someone purporting to be someone else,” he said. “Identity theft is not new, but identity theft regarding social media and threats is kind of a new twist.”

School officials said the student has since withdrawn from Spanish Fort Middle School, according to Local 15.